And indeed We sent to the Thamud, their fellowman Saleh that, “Worship Allah”, thereupon they became two parties quarrelling. 45 He said, 'O my people, why do you seek to hasten evil before good? Why do you not ask forgiveness of God? Haply so you will find mercy.' 46 They answered: "We augur evil from thee and those that follow thee!" Said he: "Your destiny, good or evil, rests with God; yea, you are people undergoing a test!" 47 And there were in the city nine family heads causing corruption in the land and not amending [its affairs]. 48 They said: "Swear one to another by Allah that we shall make a secret night attack on him and his household, and afterwards we will surely say to his near relatives: 'We witnessed not the destruction of his household, and verily! We are telling the truth.'" 49 So they devised a scheme, and We made our secret plan, and they remained neglectful. 50 Behold, then, what all their scheming came to in the end: We utterly destroyed them and their people, all of them; 51 See, yonder are their dwellings empty and in ruins because they did wrong. Lo! herein is indeed a portent for a people who have knowledge. 52 And We delivered those who believed and who guarded (against evil). 53 And Lot! when he said unto his folk: Will ye commit abomination knowingly? 54 Must ye needs lust after men instead of women? Nay, but ye are folk who act senselessly. 55 ۞ Then there was no answer of his people save that they said: drive forth the family of Lut from your City, verily they are a people who would be pure! 56 So We saved him and his family, except for his wife; We destined her to be of those who remained behind. 57 We sent to them a terrible rainstorm. How horrible was the rain for the people who had already received warning. 58